Iceland – Waterfalls, Water Spouts and Views from a Rift

Wow! What a day! Actually it began with a morning of rafting down a great river in the wilderness, unfortunately this is very camera unfriendly… Fortunately I hired a water camera and will upload when developed 😀
But what awaited down the road was incredible.. A truly wow moment for a man like me… Gullfoss Falls, Iceland (Golden falls).

Yes. It really is one of those ‘a photo doesn’t do it justice’ places. A huge 2 step falls that from whatever angle or distance gives an aura of magnificence. From the viewing platform high above you cannot see where the water goes due to the landscape giving it an extra dimension.

Close up the spray cannot be avoided but that does not stop you capturing a private moment to thank for being here to view it.

Only a few miles down the road from the falls is the Haukadalur geothermal area. Geysers and springs! In fact our word Geyser comes from the largest one here Geysir. In the past it has reached a height of 170 metres, but alas it is currently dormant. But, right next to it is Strokkur, that erupts every 4 to 8 minutes with varying height up to 40 m. An amazing spectacle.

The whole area is surreal, as well as the geysers there are hot springs sending bubbling water and steam into the air. A reminder that the volcanic earth below is not too far away.

And so it was on to Thingvellir. So so much about this place to see and learn! Ok, to start with it is the site of the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The cliff wall is a sure sign of this as it cuts through the land for miles and miles.To see above sea in this way brings the hugeness of nature and the earths workings home.

The Eurasian side is pulling away and sinking very very slowly and that produces the cliff face you see. All around you see signs of the rift. Water has taken its place in fissures of the arths crust. I have never seen water so clear. Will be snorkelling in a fissure here tomorrow

In 930 AD this area was also used for one of the oldest parliaments in the world. In this area so far back laws were made and justice was given. To learn about how it developed the history of this great island and to wander it was great… And then to wander up to the top of the plate cliffs and look out. Wow!

Thingvallavatn stretches out for miles before you too looking like the sea. This is the largest lake in Iceland. 85 sqaure km. Yes huge. Its origins due to the fissure, the water so so so clear. The cracks in the earths surface can be seen all around it and the geothermal effect apparently makes it a guessing game for anglers with the temperatures.

What a day! A wonderful trip well organized by the great people of Discover The World. Tomorrow I have the treat of caving through lava tubes created by volcanic activity as well as the snorkelling through the fissure. Good evening from a late late daylight

About The Author

Founder of BaldHiker.com and avid hiker, climber and trekker. Never liking to sit still and always seeking new adventures around the world. Sharing personal views here and tweeting live via @paul_steele